🎧 Yoko Ono: WALKING ON THIN ICE - Streaming Now

[Good Dog Nigel]

Stream 'Walking On Thin Ice' and add it to your playlists.

WALKING ON THIN ICE – FOR JOHN​

John and I were gloriously happy in the first week of December. Double Fantasy was in the top ten. It was just a matter of time for it to go up to number one since we still had two weeks to Xmas and it was selling well. We kept saying, “We did it, we did it,” and hugged each other. “What are we going to do when it’s number one, John?” “I’ll take you out to dinner.” “That’s a date?” “That’s a date.” That meant dressing up time: John in his suit and me in drag. He would put the diamond pin on his lapel, a birthday present from me. Then we would end up going to a quiet, dark restaurant where nobody could see us except us. But that was our idea of fun. “Mother, help me put this diamond pin on, will you?” I hear him saying.

“Yoko, you paid your dues, and you produced a top ten record. Don’t let them kick you around any more. When you talk to them, just remember that. They have to respect you now. Just look them in the eye and say, ‘I’m to a top ten artist’ in your mind, okay?” he said, over and over again. “Don’t worry, John. I look them in their eyes anyway.” “That’s because you’re crazy,” he laughed. “But you’re a commercial success now, Yoko; you don’t know what that means. It means dollars and cents, and they understand that.” “Sure, John.”

'Walking On Thin Ice' was what we were remixing that night. The past weekend we had listened to the song all day and night. It was as if we were both haunted by the song. I remember I woke up in the morning and found John watching the sunrise and still listening to the song. He said I had to put it out right away as a single. He wanted to be on the B-side of it. I didn’t think that was wise. “Nobody’s going to listen to the A-side then.” “Hey, I’ve got a good idea. How about sending just the A-side to the DJs and keep the B-side a total secret until it’s sent to the shops?” “Nice try, John. You know it’s not going to work.” Later, John agreed with me. “You’re probably right. We have to put you out as a solo artist.”

In our minds we were a team. In the world’s mind it was John Lennon and his Missus who got lucky. I caught him looking at the grey streak in my hair. He caught me looking at his cheekbones. We were old soldiers. “Let’s really give it to them. Let’s make it a rule that we won’t release any photo of us unless we are kissing or looking at each other.” “That’ll really go down well, I bet,” I laughed. He laughed, too, looking pleased that he made me laugh. The family who laughs together stays together, I thought.

Getting this together after what happened was hard. But I knew John would not rest his mind if I hadn’t. I hope you like it, John. I did my best.

Yoko
Jan.24 ’81
N.Y.C.

Stream WALKING ON THIN ICE single.

WALKING ON THIN ICE​

Walking on thin ice
I’m paying the price
For throwing the dice in the air
Why must we learn it the hard way
And play the game of life with your heart?

I gave you my knife
You gave me my life
Like a gush of wind in my hair
Why do we forget what’s been said
And play the game of life with our hearts?

I may cry someday
But the tears will dry whichever way
And when our hearts return to ashes
It’ll be just a story
It’ll be just a story

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"I knew a girl who tried to walk across the lake
‘Course it was winter when all this was ice
That’s a hell of a thing to do, you know
They say the lake is as big as the ocean
I wonder if she knew about it?"

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Musicians:​

Vocals: Yoko Ono
Lead guitar, keyboards: John Lennon
Rhythm guitars: Hugh McCracken & Earl Slick
Bass guitar: Tony Levin
Drums: Andy Newmark
Percussion: Jack Douglas

Words and music by Yoko Ono
Produced by: John Lennon, Yoko Ono & Jack Douglas
Engineer: Lee DeCarlo
Assistant Engineers: Jon Smith & Julie Last, Sam Ginsberg & Steve Mark
Recorded at Hit Factory, N.Y.
Mixed at Record Plant, N.Y.

 

[nobodytoldme]

• Mar 29, 2025

Not necessarily a question, but I figured if those who know how to fix this can be reached, it's here...

The classic ‘Walking on Thin Ice’ is missing from streaming. There are no less than seven remixes available, yet the original single (or the video edit) are nowhere to be found. The same goes for the rest of the ’80s catalogue, Season of Glass, It’s Alright (I See Rainbows) and Starpeace, all absent.

I have these on vinyl, CD, and digital, but it would be fantastic if a new generation could access this era properly.

Thank you !

 

[Stardust]

I really love where Yoko, “shares her life hack for managing anxiety.” On FB. I feel exactly like that 24/7. Like I’m walking on thin ice and frightened. I was so excited to find out she feels anxiety and how she manages it. I don’t feel so alone.
Thank you, Yoko!